We started cycling the 2nd week in June. My husband and I found a route that was approximately 2.5 miles to ride and we got up and were out riding at 6:30 a.m.

At first we just rode 2 or 3 times a week, after the first couple of weeks we made sure we were out 3 times a week, Then after the first month we upped our route to 3.5 miles and 5 timea a week. Now we are still doing 5 times a week and 4.2 miles. We have upped our speed from 8.4 mph to 9.4 mph on an average. One morning we went 9.9 mph. 

Richard could ride circles around me. I slow him down. I think it's the difference between the muscle structure of men and women.

I say all that to say this: there have definely been some noticible benefits.

The increased circulation has helped my skin. I have suffered with terribly dry skin and I can now feel my arms and they are no longer rough and dry, but smooth and soft. 

I have slowly had an increase in energy and stamina. An example: 

On our 30th wedding anniversay we went to the Springfield Nature Center to see if we could find something to shoot with our camera. It was a hilly walk of about a mile one-way. On the way back I was terribly out of breath and wasn't sure I could make it back. I had to stop and rest every 30 yards or so. I was done in. My knees were swelling and when I got home I had to lay down the rest of the day to get off my legs and help my knee swelling go down. I definitely had my exercise for that day; but we kept cycling. 

By the 18th of July we were babysitting our granddaughter and took her to the zoo.

It was and hour and a half of walking, pushing a stroller up and down hills.

I was able to do this with no problem. I was tired, but I was not breathless. It was a hot day and all I could think about when we were done was getting cool and something cold to drink.

This was a revolutionary difference. During the time between the two instances we had upped our mileage on the bike rides  and times per week out, but that was all. What is more unusual is that my knees were able to hold up on the zoo trip. I was watching Dr. Oz and he said that for those who have knee problems, a lot of the grinding of joint on joint is due to break down in the muscle that holds the bones apart from each other. I've just proved him right. I can now walk and go up and down stairs with less difficulty...still difficult, but not as bad. 

Other evidence of increased energy levels:

Yesterday was one of our days off. We started our day with shopping at Wal-mart. I don't know if you've noticed, but this can be a work out. The store is large and if you don't know where everything is you can take several trips around the store looking for it. I used to have to rest for two or three hours after shopping. Yesterday I came home and rested for a short time then got up and cleaned my kitchen and washed 2 loads of laundry, made lunch and then cleaned out my closet and folded 5 loads of laundry, then made supper. My energy held out all day. I was so jazzed. I just did it. I didn't have to plan every move to conserve my energy. It was there for the taking. 

I want to lose weight, but so far I haven't lost any. Maybe I'm building muscle, but I am determined to lose two lbs. a week. I am looking for a job and sadly there is discrimination for those who are overweight. I am 290 lbs. I may not look it, but I am. I have a lot to lose. I intend to blog about it at least weekly documenting my progress or not. It helps to have encouragement. I have had a lot of encouragement from facebook friends as I have started biking with my husband. He's trying to lose weight too, but doesn't have anywhere near as much as I do. I know this will revolutionize my life too if I can pull it off.  Next Post....how I got this way.